Improvement in packages for transporting merchandise



2 Sheets-Sheet, 1..

A J. GILBERDS. Package for Transporting Merchandise.

.Pa tented Jan. 21,1879. 57.1..

4.PETER3. P'HOYO'LFIHOGRAPHEH. WASHINGTON. D C.

2 SheeLs-.-She.et, 2.

J. GILBERDS. Package 01 Transporting Merchandise.

No. 211,563. Patented Jan. 21, 1879.

ITNESSES N.PETERS. PMOTD-UTHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, D. c.

alq v ATTO UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFIon.

JAMES GILBERDS, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PACKAGES FOR TRANSPORTING MERCHANDISE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,563, dated January21, 1879; application filed June 4, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES (humans, of Jamestown, in the county ofGha-utauquaand State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Packages for Transporting Merchandise; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to packages for containin g and transportingmerchandise, such as butter-firkins, oyster-pails, fruit-crates, or thelike; and it consists in an improved construction and device, ashereinafter described and claimed, whereby said package may be se curelyand easily and rapidly locked in its closed position, and in such amanner as that it would be impossible to unlock or open said packagewithout detection.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows an isometric view of one form of myinvention, as adapted to crates or firkins, the dotted lines indicatingthe manner of unlocking. Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line atw of Fig. 1, showing my device in its locked position. Fig. 3 is asimilar view, showing my device in its unlocked position. Fig. 4 is aplan view of a package, representing my invention as applied theretowhen there is but one hasp to be locked. Fig. 5 is a view representingthe invention as applied to a package having straight hasps. Fig. 6 is aview of the invention applied to a chest or package having a hingeddoor.

A is the body of a package of any kind, such as a firkin, box, crate,pail, or anything than can have a lid or cover. B is a lid, cover, orany removable section or panel of a package or container.

0 is a hasp, which may be angular, curved,

'str. ight, or of any necessary or desired shape.

One end of the hasp or plate 0 is loosely, but securely, attached to thebody A in such a way that it can be swung into and out of the lockingposition.

D is a cleat, bar, plate, or panel adapted to lap upon and partially orcompletely cover the hasp or plate 0 by swinging or rotating upon apivot, D. The part D may be pivoted either at or near its middle portionor at or near one end, and said part D may either be a oleat or panel,extending nearly or entirely across the lid or cover B. For purpose ofappearance, 'I prefer to form a seat, A, upon the body A, in which reststhe hasp or plate 0 in such a manner as that when said hasp or plate isin its locked position its upper face may come even with the surface ofthe packageA; or, instead of this arrangement, a correspondingdepression or seat may be formed on the under surface of the part D.

It is manifest that my invention is susceptible of a great variety ofmodifications; and Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings show a few of thesame, that would be comprehended and included in my invention, which isin no de gree limited to any specific form of device, nor in itsapplication to any particular package or container.

Fig. 4 represents the locking-plate D as pivoted at one end to thecenter of the lid B, as shown at D, while its free endengages with thehasp G. This illustrates the application, in use, of my invention to afirkin or package which requires its lid to be secured thereby only atone point.-

Fig. 5 represents the locking-bar D pivoted centrally at D to a lid, B,and securing'the same to the top of a box or package, A, having aniii-setting lid, by straight-bodied hasps 0, instead of the latter beingangular, as in the instances heretofore illustrated.

Fig. 6 represents the locking-bar D pivoted centrally at D to the outerside of a door, B, which is hinged to a chest or package, A. Thelocking-bar engages the straight bodied hasp O.

The operation of my device is as follows: The lid, cover, or panel B isplaced in position, and the hasp or plate 0 is moved to its lookingposition, when the cleat, bar, or panel D is turned on its pivot untilit covers the hasp or plate O. The package is now completely locked, andall that is .necessary to provide against undiscoverable tampering andunlocking of said package is any suitable seal to the parts 0 and D, oreither of them; and this may be done in a great "ariety of well-knownways unnecessary to specify.

All that is required to do to unlock the package is to turn the cleat,bar, or panelD until the hasp or plate G is uncovered, when said hasp orplate can be swung or turned out of its lockin g position and the lid orcover removed or opened. This operation, so exceedingly simple, isattended with no possible risk or damage either to the package or to itscontents. Moreover, if necessary, any package can be opened and closedany number of times with-' out hurt or inconvenience. There is no key tobe lost, no parts to be bent, broken, or ruptured, no destruction orrenewal or addition of anything during an indefinite and constant use ofmy device. It is a cheap, durable, simple, effective, attractive, andeasily-operated device, and is equally adaptable to almost everydescription of package or container that is designed to be opened orclosed by the removal or placing of a lid or cover or removable section.

What I claim is-- 1. The combination, with a locking-bar pivoted toapackage-lid, of a hasp secured to the stationary body of the package,said hasp, when in locked position, being fitted in a suitable recessformed either in the lid or the locking-bar, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the locking-bar pivoted to a package-lid, of ahasp secured to the stationary body of the package, and fitting, when inlocked position, in a recess formed between the meeting surfaces of thelid and locking-bar, said hasp being adapted to be swung well over ontothe lid in a plane angular to the surface of the latter, and having aplane bearing-face, against which the lockingbar engages, substantiallyas set forth.

3. The combination, with the locking-bar pivoted to a package-lid, of ahasp secured to the stationary body of the package, and fitting inlocked position within a suitable recess formed between lid and thelocking-bar, the same being adapted to permit said locking-bar to bemoved in or out of its lockin g position in a line of direction eitherto the right or to the left, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES GILBERDS.

Witnesses:

J N0. URowELL, Jr., F. TOUMEY.

the meeting surfaces of the W

